The Washington critic., 1887-09-03
TOM STINSON'S LARK.

-LGeorge Il. Day in Boston Transcript.
TOM STINSON'S LARK.
Tommy" ssid Mrs Stlnson to her
son early on Monday morning ~ he
was cleaning his gun preparatory TO a
days shooting, II wish you woull
take the horse and wagon and fetch
Mrs. Davis to do the washing to-day.
It's Thanksgiving week, aud there's
more to do before Thursday than
Mabel and can get through with"
Tom was always ready to obliSe his
mother; and besides he knew that he
could get back with Mrs. Davis before
the other boys of his party would be
ready 10 set out. So he went cheer
fully out to do Us he was requested,
and few minutes later was driving In
the direction of Mrs Davis cottugt,
which was in the somewhat unpopular
locality known as the back road.
YES" said Mrs. Davis, "Ill he
ready in five minutes" And that
length OF time had scarcely passed
when she came out hooded aud shawleh
for her ride in the cool November
morning.
You have good pile Of wood"
remarked Tom, US he drove toward
home.
Yes" replied the widow, "I guess
there's pretty nigh enough to last mr
all winter. | had 1t Of Mr.. Brown.
who owns the big wood lot up TO the
North End nurscd his wife through
her sickness last summer, and he paid
me In wood. wish twas fitted for the
stove. | tried to get Pete Wilkins to
saw and split 1t, but he never will work
If he can help 1t; and | am afraid the
snow will come before | get 1t done 1t
will be bad for me If II does"
Tommy did not reply, but seemed to
be thinking deeply for "A few moments,
gazing straight before him, as If trying
to sight some object between old gray's
ears; then he suddenly urged the aui
nal to his best speed. unmindtul of the
fact that the motion of the vehicle over
the frozen road WAS giving Mrs. Davis
somewhat violent exercise.
""They have fleet steeds who follow
Quoth young Luchnvar,"
rang out boyish voice from the road
side. And old gray was pulled up So
suddenly AS to nearly throw the good
woman from her seat
Hello, VIII Harris" exclaimed
Tom, looking back over his shoulder
Come ON up to our house; | want to
see you
And few minutes later he drew up
at home. Springing to the ground. he
helped Mrs. Davis down as kindly as
he would have helped his mother; led
the horse to the stable. aud, coming
out, held brief conversation with his
father In the yard.
When VIII Harris came, Tom con.
fided In him his plans for tue days
sport. AT first VIII demurreh, but
| Tom was an acknowledged leader and
carried the day, as usual
Bring your brother George and
| Charlie Lewis" said Tom, rs they
separated, "and l will see the Grant
| boys; that'll make six.
where IL mother ?" said Tom, a
little later, as he entered the kitchen,
where Mrs. Davis was busy at the
washtub, and his sister Mabel had just
completed the washing of the break.
fast dishes.
"Hcre, my son," answered pleasant
voice from the dining room.
"Put me up lunch, please, mother
I'm of for all day" said Tom.
Where are you golug?' asked
Mabel
"Oh, ;" he replied, 81 and some of the
other boys have organized ourselves
into Secret Society of Pleasure
Srekers--S. S. p. s, quite An array OF
initials, you see--and we are going OF
for q lark.
"a lark?" cried his little brother,
scrambling up from the floor, where he
bad been playing with his pet kitten.
won't you bring me one, Tommy
Yes" laughed Tom "if | catch
one"
you may get caughtyourself," said
bis sister, little nettled by his boylsh
banter.
Don't be alarmed; I'm in no dan
ger" he replied, passing into the
dining room, where his mother was
filling his basket at the sdebnlrd.
you are not going far away
Tommy she asked, IL little anXlously.
mo, mother; only over on the back
road TO have some fun with the ma.
tives
"The back road !" exclaimed hi.
sister, who had followed him with tn,
plates she WAS now arranging upon tn,
table; that Is not a very nice pnc,
to GO"
NO" said Tom; "but II cant he
wholly bad while Mrs. Davis live
there. But" glancing ont OF the wIu
dow, "herc are the boys. Thanks
mother" taking the basket from her
hands.
Mrs. Slinson followed him into the
hall and laid her hand on his arm, with
look OF inquiry iu her eyes
why. mother" he said, "yOr
really look anxous but fellow ueve
can keep a srCret from you" and h'
WHISPERED few words IN her ear, add
ing, Father knows" And, Us th'
troubled expression gave place to On,
of glad satisfaction, he Optued IN
door, and sprang down The steps t
Join his waiting friends, both Of whom
were furnished with lunch baskets ant
axes.
wait n minute" snid Tom, disap
, nearing into he wood house, to com
s out Immediately, btinGlng saw nu.
the three walked quickly along tn
! lhbu over Nhlcu ON Ahl ull'th ttI'lc
in lhe morning A little farther on
they were Joined by Charlie Lewis ma
. the two Harris boys, and all continue
. their course in the direction Ot Mr.
Davis cottage Arrived there, It WI
the wnrl, of u few minutes tu inproyi,
SAW horses for the occasion, aud the
tiX pairs Of strong young hands e.
d vigorously TO work upon the widpS
wood pile
4, "Mtuy hands make short work,
, says the old adHrr; and the sun W
b scarcely past the meridian, when ID